Wendell Barnhouse is a nationally-known and respected columnist who has spent over 20 years covering collegiate athletics. He has reported from 25 Final Fours and more than three dozen bowl games and has written about the Big 12 and its schools since the conference's beginning. Barnhouse will be updating the Big 12 Insider on happenings and behind-the-scenes information about the conference.

Nick Florence, Baylor’s starting quarterback last season, declined to give the NFL a try … even though one pro scout said that Florence’s performance at the Bears’ pro day last spring was the best he saw.

Kelly Hines of the Tulsa World examines how Oklahoma State senior linebacker Shaun Lewis brings value not necessarily measured in statistics.

Here’s an analysis/explanation of the “feud” between TCU coach Gary Patterson and LSU coach Les Miles; the Frogs and the Tigers meet in the season opener.

And USA Today’s Dan Wolken writes how the football program and the school are gaining national attention for Baylor.

Kansas coach Charlie Weis’ assessment of last year’s team made headlines during Big 12 media days but also underscored his candor.

Here’s a “mini doc” from the Grantland Channel that has some great insight on new Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury.

Two great reads on Kansas State coach Bill Snyder via Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star. Snyder flunked out at Missouri in 1958 and when he got to K-State in 1989 he had to help save a suicidal player.